Is it hard to cross stitch on black Aida?
If you have stitched on black or dark coloured aida before you will know it is not the same as stitching on white or lighter colours. It is much more tricky! But it can also look amazing when finished, particularly for patterns that are a night/space theme like my 2020 Galaxy Stitch-a-Long.
Now we have the “why” sorted out, the solution is simple, wash your aida. And we don't mean you have to go fancy like how you wash your cross stitch. No, you can just chuck the whole thing in a bowl of water for half an hour. Rinse once your done (just to make sure none of the dye is left on the fabric and dry).
Blackwork is usually worked on evenweave, but many designs can be worked on aida, especially if there are no split stitches. If you are doing blackwork for the first time, this may be an easier fabric to work on because of its block weave.
Most of my patterns are recommended to be stitched on 14 count Aida or 28 count evenweave, therefore a size 24 needle would be recommended, but feel free to go a size up (smaller needle) if you prefer.
Today, blackwork is often worked on an even-weave cloth — either linen, Aida cloth, Hardanger fabric or cotton/rayon blends. Like counted cross-stitch, blackwork can be worked over one or two threads of fabric.
Work the darker colors first, and the lighter colors last. Sometimes you'll stitch only a few stitches in one area, and then jump to another area with that same color. Jumping can be easier than stopping and starting, but when you carry the floss on the back it can show through the fabric.
Hoops and frames are necessary for all types of stitching where the fabric needs to be kept taut, they give better tension and help to prevent distortion, especially in linen and evenweave fabrics which are softer than the aida fabrics.
Should you iron aida before cross stitching? There's no need to iron aida or other fabrics before cross stitching. They will just get wrinkled from holding them while you stitch, or from placing them in a hoop.
The stiffness of the fabric is usually due to the starch used by fabric makers. Too much starch could be a sign of cheap, bad quality fabric.
But I really want to know which side is the right side!
Run your finger along them, and you may be able to feel that the holes are smooth on one side and pokey on the other. The smooth side is the front of the fabric. This little trick works for all kinds of fabric, not just cross stitch fabric, so now you know!
What is the best fabric to cross stitch on?
The fabric used for cross stitch is usually aida or Evenweave/linen (these two come in the same counts but are made of different materials; Evenweave is cotton and modal and obviously linen is linen). These fabrics are perfect for cross stitch because they are weaved evenly.
Cut your plain aida (you should use white) down to A4 size, put some freezer paper on the back (its sticky on one side) and put it in your printer. Print whatever you want and you have yourself an epic, custom bit of aida.
If you are a complete beginner, it's recommended to start with 14 count Aida. This fabric will have 14 holes per inch and it will be very easy to see the holes that you need to stitch into. I recommend choosing a lighter fabric, such as white, to get started.
In other words, embroidery on black tends to make the stitches “pop” more. Especially if you choose to use clear colours, which will create a high level of contrast. For maximum effect (especially if you work on a piece with a great deal of contours), we recommend to use white.
For beginners the 14 count Aida Cloth is usually recommended, but common fabric counts vary from 10 to 24. The higher the stitch count, the tighter and finer the weave will be, so it gets increasingly difficult to glide your needle through the fabric.
Blackwork traditionally employs two types of stitches – outline and filling. The outline stitch is worked first to give definition to the shape required and the filling stitches are worked within the outlined shapes.
The stitch technique in blackwork is very similar to the backstitch you do in cross stitch, but so much more enjoyable to stitch than in cross stitch! Blackwork patterns normally feature repeating, geometric shapes or motifs which are sometimes floral, abstract or of elements of nature.
How many strands of floss should I use? Most of my patterns call for two strands of embroidery floss for the outlines. You could substitute this for one strand of a thicker thread, instead. Cotton a broder or Pearl cotton number 8 would work well.
It's usually best to start a cross stitch design in the middle of the fabric to ensure that you don't run out of space for stitches.
Allowing the underlying material to remain exposed is largely a matter of preference. Generally, a low count Aida, will look unfinished if not completely cross-stitched, whereas, a high count Aida, decorative canvases, and linens will tend to look more "finished" without a cross-stitched background.
How many hours does a cross stitch take?
So, if you know a pattern contains 1600 stitches then you know it will take you at least 8 hours to stitch. I say at least 8 hours because you will likely stitch slower than 200 stitches per hour due to changing colours etc.
When you begin a new cross stitch project, it is a good idea to start stitching in the middle of the design. That way you make sure your design is centered in the fabric. Small arrows at the edges of a cross stitch chart indicate the center points.
Blackwork is an embroidery technique which, in English-speaking countries, is generally associated with Tudor England. In that period and place, it was generally done with black thread on light colored linen, hence the name.
Just the right amount of tension
This is a bit of a Goldilocks moment; if you pull your stitches too tight it will distort the stitches (and potentially the whole piece of fabric) and also can leave more fabric showing through underneath your stitching. But too loose and it can look a little messy.
When you stitch, the natural oils on your hands transfer to the fabric. That's why it is important to wash your cross stitch and hand embroidery projects before framing, even if the piece looks clean. Oils that you can't immediately see can become stains over time.
Railroading is a technique to force your thread to lay flat so that they look nice and even. It's also a good way to reduce how much your thread naturally twists as you stitch. This is especially helpful for threads like glow-in-the-dark and metallic that tend to twist up even more than usual.
To loosen Aida cloth before starting your project, you can run cold water over the cloth and iron it while it's still damp. That should help loosen the fibers and make the cloth more flexible. You can also try putting Aida cloth in a clothes dryer with a fabric softener sheet and a dampened washcloth.
For cross stitch, using a hoop is not as essential, although like with hand embroidery, it can help you make more even stitches. If you are new to cross stitch, using a hoop can help you handle the fabric, see the holes more clearly, and keep your stitch tension more consistent. Fabric choice also makes a difference.
AIDA IS A TYPE OF EVENWEAVE FABRIC
People often learn counted cross stitch on Aida and later stitch on linen or other evenweave fabrics as they become more experienced.
Serging the edges of linen or aida is the ultimate way to prepare the edges so they don't fray. If you happen to own a serger, this is definitely the time to use it, but if like most of us you don't own a serger, a standard sewing machine also works.
How tight should cross stitch fabric be?
Aim for a nice easy tension on your stitches. Don't pull them so tight that they warp the fabric or leave them so loose that they gap. The stitches should lie flat against the fabric without pulling against it.
Aida cloth comes in different sizes or counts.
So if you're a beginner you might start stitching on 14 count, probably the most common size available. As you get more experienced you might move to 16 or 18 count Aida, or to even weave linen designed for stitching.
Aida fabric is traditionally used in cross stitch, which is a counted thread needlecraft. This fabric is stiff and has somewhat larger holes that make a grid-like surface. These qualities make it amazing for cross stitch because this type of needlecraft uses cross stitches to fill in an area or design.
Aida in 14 count is easy to find and is a good choice for stitchers who are just starting out. Other common counts are 11, 16, 18, and 20. Aida also comes in a 6-count version called Herta that is perfect for teaching children to stitch or for chunky “big stitch” projects.
A backstitch is one of the strongest hand sewing stitches. The backstitch gets its name because the needle goes into the fabric behind the previous stitch. On the contrary, with a running stitch, the needle simply passes through the fabric an even distance in front of the previous stitch.
Linen has a higher thread count than Aida, so it gives a more refined look to your finished piece. Stitching on linen might seem daunting if you are new to cross stitch, but it is no more difficult than stitching on Aida.
IT'S CHEAP
With no fancy equipment or expensive gadgets required, cross stitch is a hobby that won't break the bank. Just a few basic supplies are all it takes to get started, making it super accessible for people from all walks of life.
The stiffness of the fabric is usually due to the starch used by fabric makers. Too much starch could be a sign of cheap, bad quality fabric.
Aida is usually made of cotton and is the easiest fabric to start on. It has a smaller thread count, such as 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. However, the most common sizes are 14, 16, and 18 count. Because the thread count is smaller, you will be stitching over 1, thus the holes will be more clearly visible.
For all of those wondering what's harder, cross-stitching or embroidery, the bottom line is: Cross stitching is definitely easier than embroidery.
How hard is cross-stitching?
Cross Stitch is one of the easiest forms of needlework as it combines a simple, straight stitch with a fabric that has evenly spaced holes to pass the thread through. The charts for cross stitch are similar to painting by numbers and by counting carefully and stitching slowly, you will easily learn to cross stitch.
The short answer is, no. When it comes to Aida and linen, in most cases the front and back are essentially the same. That's because the fiber used to make Aida and linen (cotton and linen, respectively) is dyed before being woven so the color runs throughout the fabric.
The most commonly used tapestry needles for cross stitch are sizes 24 and 26, although needles are available in sizes 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28. When using a size 28, use only the equivalent of one strand of stranded cotton (floss) because the eye is very delicate and will break.
The tone you choose depends on the look you're after. Bright white has a clean, modern feel. Ivory is more antiqued and compliments more traditional designs. In the middle is Antique White which is just a bit softer than true white and is a good all-around choice.
Cross stitch is generally worked using two strands of stranded cotton when working on 14-count and 16-count Aida. It is perfectly acceptable to mix the number of threads used within the same project. You might want to alter the texture of the finished piece by working in one, two and even three strands.
